Seattle Dog Bite Lawyer

Compassionate Legal Help from a Dog Bite Attorney in Seattle

Dogs may be “man’s best friend,” but a serious bite can change your life in seconds. Whether your child was attacked by a family dog or you were injured while walking or working, a Seattle dog bite lawyer can help you pursue compensation for medical bills, scarring, missed work, and emotional trauma.

At Khan Injury Law, our dog bite attorneys represent injured victims throughout the Seattle area. We understand how overwhelming this is, and we’re here to guide you through every step—starting with a free consultation.

Washington Dog Bite Law: Strict Liability Applies

Washington is a “strict liability” state for dog bites. That means a dog owner can be held responsible when their dog bites someone—even if the dog has never shown aggression before and even if the owner “did nothing wrong.”

In most cases, dog owners can be liable for bites that happen:

• In a public place

• On the owner’s private property

• On someone else’s private property (with lawful presence)

If you were bitten, a Seattle dog bite lawyer can evaluate whether strict liability applies and identify every available source of compensation (including homeowners or renters insurance).

Does Washington State Have a One-Bite Rule?

No. Washington does not follow a “one-bite rule” for civil claims. A dog does not need a prior bite history for the owner to be held liable in civil court.

However, if an owner knew their dog had a history of dangerous behavior, it may also increase legal exposure in other ways.

Seattle Dog Laws: Licensing, Leashes, and Restrictions

Seattle has additional rules beyond Washington state law. For example:

• Dogs generally must be licensed

• Dogs must be leashed except in designated off-leash areas

• Vaccination requirements exist to protect public health

In many dog bite cases, local ordinance violations can support your claim. A Seattle dog bite lawyer can help gather evidence, reports, and documentation tied to these rules.

Will Filing a Dog Bite Lawsuit Mean the Dog is Put Down?

Not always. Legal action against a dog owner does not automatically mean a dog will be euthanized. For example, even in cases where the dog is legally recognized for its aggressive behavior and past history of biting people, it may survive this ordeal if its owner follows the requirements for registering the animal, posting warning signs, and taking other precautions to protect the public from the dog.

Common Injuries in Dog Bite Attacks

A dog bite can result in serious injuries for the victims, many requiring plastic surgery in order to cover the scarring and disfigurement caused by the animal’s teeth.

Typical dog bite injuries include:

• Broken bones.
• Bruising.
• Facial disfiguration.
• Infection.
• Nerve damage.
• Psychological damage and emotional trauma.
• Puncture wounds and lacerations.
• Rabies virus.
• Scarring.
• Soft tissue damage.
• Wrongful death.

A Seattle dog bite lawyer can pursue both economic damages and non-economic damages.

What is the Most Dangerous Breed of Dog?

No dog is born evil. Nor is any breed particularly more aggressive than any other. But just the same, statistics show that certain dog breeds are responsible for more dog bites than other breeds. Partly this is because of the population of the dog breed in question — it makes sense that the most common dog breeds would account for a more significant number of bites — and partly because of how humans train certain breeds to fight, defend, and attack.

The breeds most frequently named as more ‘dangerous’ than any other are pit bulls, rottweilers, bull terriers, German Shepherds, and wolfdogs.

How a Seattle Dog Bite Attorney Can Help

Dog bite cases aren’t always as straightforward as they seem. Insurance companies downplay injuries or blame the victim. A dog bite attorney can help by:

• Investigating what happened and preserving evidence

• Identifying the dog owner and insurance coverage

• Documenting injuries and future care needs

• Negotiating with insurers to pursue fair compensation

• Filing a lawsuit when necessary

What if Police Dogs Caused the Injury?

If the dog bite injury was caused by a legally trained and supervised police dog, then the strict liability rules do not apply.

However, there have been cases where police dogs act on their own accord and attack civilians without warning. In such dog bite cases, it is possible to sue the city for damages.

Are Dog Owners Held Liable for Attacks on Another Person’s Dogs?

If another person’s dog has attacked your dog, then you may be legally able to hold the other person liable for damages, including paying any necessary veterinary bills. If the dog attack took the life of your dog, then you may need to go to court to work out a fair settlement for your loss.

Even if a dog bites another dog because it feels threatened, the aggressor may be held accountable for damages regardless of arguments for self-defense. Also, consider that if an unleashed dog mauls a dog on its leash, then the law will favor the owners of the leashed dog nearly every time.

What Type of Compensation Could Dog Bite Victims Recover with a Successful Personal Injury Claim?

Your dog bite attorney will gather all relevant evidence in your dog bite case to help strengthen the argument for maximum compensation.

Financial compensation can help the individual that the dog attacked recover from the dog bite without the added stress of worrying about money. Your settlement can help with medical bills, lost wages, emotional distress, disability, disfigurement, and loss of companionship.

What Are the National Dog Bite Statistics?

Approximately 80 million dogs reside in the USA. Considering that number, very few of America’s dogs bite people. However, nearly 1,000 dog bite injuries are treated in hospital rooms across the country daily. There are millions of reported dog bites every year.

Most dog attacks occur on the dog owner’s property — and usually, the dog is an animal that the victim knows and has been previously acquainted with. The majority of dog bites are inflicted upon small children.

One out of every five dog bites becomes infected.

Dogs with pit bull-like traits are responsible for most dog bite fatalities. Women made up the majority of the victims of fatal animal attacks.

In 2021, homeowners paid out over 880 million dollars for animal attack claims where a dog bite occurred.

How Long Do You Have to File a Claim in Washington?

You have three years to seek legal action if a dog has attacked you. After that three-year window, it does not matter how strong the dog bite case is; you will likely be unable to file a successful lawsuit.

Do not delay. Speak to a dog bite lawyer today. Our Seattle personal injury lawyers are well-versed in cases involving personal injury law in the state of Washington and would be more than qualified to take your dog bite case.

Talk to a Seattle Dog Bite Lawyer Today

If a dog has bitten you or a loved one, you have the legal right to seek justice in both civil and criminal court proceedings. However, doing so may be easier said than done, especially when recovering from any serious injuries that might have been incurred in the attack.

You should seek the legal representation of an experienced Seattle dog bite lawyer for your case.

To schedule a free case consultation with a dog bite attorney at our firm, please call our main office in Seattle at (206) 203-3978.